Toyota Hilux Single Cab test since 2005 pickup

Toyota Hilux Surf SSR-X car review

Pikapa - long summer!
Anyone who looks at Toyota Hilux Surf will easily determine that its shape, in fact, is a pickup with a forward engine and hood. In other words, although it is Surf, it is still Hilux! A characteristic feature of this model is the frame of the so -called staircase type (that is, with several crossbars), and the contours themselves are so well recognizable that they can compete in this regard with the forms of a car such as Morgan, which, I allow myself to recall, was born in the distant 1968.
We can also say that this feature has become a kind of business card of Surf series cars. Indeed, due to the fact that everyone can come up, poke a finger and say: in the past you were a pickup!, The appearance of this machine is not perceived as something very incompetent. I’ll say more: I personally believe that among all modern models produced by Toyota, such masterpieces of automotive industry as SURF - once or twice, have expected.
According to the circumstances, purely external (they say, if this is a pickup, then everything else is also like a pickupa, that is, the car is essentially a cargo), you do not expect any vivid discoveries from driving on this car. But in fact, you find a high level of comfort and an obedient steering wheel. And now you feel unexpected joy and pleasure, and you think: but the car came out what you need!. Well, so what is not quite in fashion? But this car can become a symbol of the fact that the life of its owner (do not consider the irony!) it's getting better and better.
However, I will return to the subject of my report. So, I get driving the Toyota Hilux Surf car with a turbodiesel engine of direct injection of the 2000 model (appeared on sale on July 31) and making a test trip on it.
General information about the machine
The generation of this model described here is already the third. It was the public in December 1995. His chassis was made in a new way, and the design of the frame continues to be the same. The lineup of the engines is presented, firstly, with a gasoline engine of 3.4 liters with a V-shaped arrangement of 6 cylinders, then an engine with 4 rowing cylinders, a total volume of 2.7 liters, and, finally, a 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine 3 liters volume.
SSR-X modification is something between the lowest configuration of G and the more comfortable configuration of V. The front fog lights, the rear spoiler, as well as a system called Reas, which allows regulating the coherent operation of both (left and right) shock absorbers are installed on the machine.
Assessment from the inside
Interior equipment and front panel - 4 points
The front review from the driver's place is beautiful, and this applies to both the left and the right side of the road. This alone should instill a feeling of deep satisfaction in the driver and increase the assessment of the car at least per score. Speaking more specifically, the entire surface of the hood is visible well, its edge is easily determined, and the area occupied by the front panel is not so striking. In addition, the front right stand of the cabin is slightly (but very, I must say, it is strongly put forward. In a word, everything is like a pickup.
If you try to take a closer look at small details, then, for example, what can be said about the gear lever? His resistance is very noticeable, and when you move it, you immediately feel when he finds the right position. Compared to it, the design of the gearbox levers on modern machines is like children's fun - they make them forget that it is real to control the machine!
Front seats - 4 points
The front seats only slightly lose to those that stand in the Chevrolet Blazer salon. Their softness at the moment can be evaluated by the highest category. And if you take only Japanese cars for comparison, then they will not find equal at all.
I evaluate the driver’s landing in the chair well. You can say a classic pose. Prior to this, by the way, in cars of a similar class there was one significant minus little space for the driver’s legs. Yes, what existed there, - there, in the Nissan Terrano salon, this is still so! But, thank God, in Hilux Surf this problem seems to have disappeared. We go further. The width of the salon and its height do not allow it to be considered too spacious. However, the salon has a rectangular shape, so a small tightness that someone can complain is in any comparison with what we see in bad sedans or minivans. This, apparently, is also the result of a cargo layout.
Rear seats - 3 points
Here it is also impossible to say that it was very spacious. And, nevertheless, the chairs within the possible allowing passengers to maintain a natural landing (with a straight back) to a certain extent. Although this, by and large, should not be especially proud. And yet this is better than in a pickup!. As you can see, with regard to the rear seats, the position of Toyota suffers in some inconsistency, but this is again exhibited in the light favorable to the company.
In general, the car makes a very good impression in terms of comfort. True, no one had assigned special hopes in this direction, which is why it was by no means evaluated by high criteria.
Luggage department - 3 points
If the rear seats are laid out, then the luggage compartment can be easily accommodated by laying on the side, the disassembled bicycle in the collected form. For comparison: a small wagon, ceteris paribus, contains as many as two bicycles in a standing position.
The shortcomings should be attributed to the fact that the locks of belts of the rear seats do not pop up on their own, if, for example, to decompose, and then again return the rear seats to their original position. The locks remain under the seat. If the owner knows about this, he can immediately pull them out, but if not? Thus, the car still has something to work on.
What is the car on the go?
Engine and transmission - 5 points
The new development turbodiesel behaves quite at the level. Good words especially deserves the steaming and stretched out of a wide range of revolutions of the engine torque. In addition, it is worth evaluating its small noise and reduced vibration. At least there are no particular reasons to express any discontent. If we analyze the impressions of the management of a new car in a comparative plan, it should be said that they are better than, say, from driving in Mercedes-Benz ML270CD. The driver who knows a lot about cars, I think, will understand me. SURF is a high -speed machine and with character.
And if the engine has decent power, then the automatic gearbox, in fact, does not attract special attention to its work. Often during the ride you completely forget about its existence. That is, she does not give a reason to remember herself - she works so well.
Comfort and steering - 3 points
Comfort is determined by high -quality indicators of suspension springs and volumetric tires. In a word, the master is afraid. And in Toyota there are masters for all hands. So in the Surf salon you feel quite comfortable.
The car obeys the steering wheel. For comparison, take Nissan Terrano. On concrete, he behaves very wayward, being the exact opposite of his relative Nissan Primera. Toyota Hilux Surf is completely different.
This means that the principle is everything as in a pickup is realized here only in a positive way. This makes me happy. Since the car turned out to be quite suitable for outdoor activities. Maybe even for a more active rest than Toyota Mr-S!
General rating 4 points.
Test results
Reporting author: Mori Keita (Mori Keita)
Testing date: 9th and 10th on September 2000.
Type of the tested car: advertising sample.
Year of release of the tested car: 2000.
General mileage at the time of tests: 1267 km.
Tires: front and rear tires of the same size - 265/70R16
Optional equipment: a differential of high friction (30,000 yen, or about $ 285), an upper hatch with an electric drive (106,000 yen, or about $), a navigation system (175 thousand yen, or about $ 1,000), a set of decorative details (apron on the front bumper , a spare wheel cover on the rear door, rear spoiler, fog lights), worth 125,000 yen, or about $ 1,200.
The purpose of the tests: obtaining a general idea of \u200b\u200bthe behavior of the machine on the go
Movement schedule: City line.
Technical characteristics of the Toyota Hilux Surf SSR - X car
Body dimensions (length / width / height) 4840 mm / 1800 mm / 1770 mm
Wheel base 2675 mm
Car weight 1760 kg
Drive 4 WD
The 3-liter diesel engine with a turbocharger and air cooler, a 4-cylinder with an in-line cylinder location, a gas distribution mechanism two upper shafts with 16 valves, developed power-170 hp. at 3400 rpm, maximum torque 35.9 kg/m in the range from 1800 to 3400 rpm.
Transmission 4-speed automatic transmission
The basic price of the car is 2.997.000 yen (about $ 28.500)
The price of the car on which the 3 .434,000 yen testing trip was performed (about $ 32.700)
Author: Mori Keita (Mori Keita)
Photo: Arakawa Masao (Arakawa Masao)
2000
 

Source: webcg